A N-S lode under the main road and up the hillside explored by levels and shaft. For a time, the mine was very productive.
In 1864, a shaft was cut near what is now the A44 road. The remains of these workings are poorly preserved, with the shaft being infilled along with the levels on higher ground above the road at SN 8538 8232. Another level, now lost within forestry to the west, was located at SN 8456 8205. The site’s geology consists of Silurian mudstones containing a single NNE-SSW striking vein with galena mineralization.
The mine infrastructure included a horizontal 14-inch steam engine house at the 1864 shaft, used for pumping and ore drawing, along with an adjacent 25-foot boiler house. The dressing floors were powered by a 20-foot by 6-foot waterwheel and two smaller wheels. However, the foundations of these structures have been almost entirely destroyed over time.
The processing area featured a crusher house base, as well as washing, picking, and jigging platforms, along with traces of round buddles. These features have suffered extensive damage due to the removal of structural materials, which were repurposed for hardcore in farm roads and used to infill mine workings. Despite the destruction of most buildings, some field evidence survives, with spoil tips remaining prominent.
Likely to be significantly older than date of first ore returns - antiquity Bick suggests?
| Year | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1845 | 40 tons of ore returned. |
| 1855/56 | 140 tons returned. |
| 1861 | Under direction of J. Taylor and sons, revival in production, reports showing deep adit, shallow adit and a 15fm level above driving North towards boundary of Sir Watkin Wynne’s land. |
| 1864 | Steam engine installed for exploring the mine at depth. |
| 1867 | This proved insufficient for the Taylors who wound the company up. With 17 years left on lease by Sir Watkin and Mrs Warburton Owen, property and plant auctioned. Little or no mining done thereafter. 1665 tons of lead ore produced by Taylor. |
External Links
Publications (5)
- Arx, von R. (1992); Vignette on Nanty Mine , British Mining Memoirs : 45 : 37-40
- Baxter, C. L. (2005); Tir Gofal Management Plan: Heritage Management Information (HE1). Nanty - E/08/5447
- Bick, D.E. (1991); Old Metal Mines of Mid-Wales, The; West Montgomeryshire, Aberdovey, Dinas Mawddwy & Llangynog - Part 4; pp. 52-53
- Foster-Smith, J. R. (1978); Mines of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, The
- Liscombe & Co (1880); Mines of Cardiganshire, Montgomereyshire & Shropshire; 52 pages
